Challenge will be thank you (From The Advertiser Series)

Challenge will be thank you

5:34pm Friday 13th July 2012 in News By Duncan Leatherdale

THE friends and family of a man who survived a serious car crash will complete a challenge to raise money for those who saved him.

Andrew Heathcote was left with a fractured skull and lacerations to his face after his car collided with a van in April on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland.

The 38-year-old father of one spent several days in hospital and his girlfriend, Gemma Snowball, said that without the Great North Air Ambulance, he could have died.

Now Ms Snowball and two colleagues at Elite Hair and Beauty, in Bishop Auckland, Charlotte Stainsby-Manners, 24, and Caroline Roe, 33, are to complete a triathlon to raise funds as a thank you along with four of Mr Heathcote's work mates at Pipeline Engineering, in Catterick.

Ms Snowball, 31, said: "Without the air ambulance coming in and getting him to hospital so quickly, it could have been a lot worse."

Their challenge will take place on Sunday, August 5, when they will swim 1.5km in Catterick pool, cycle 40.5km to Witton-le-Wear, in County Durham, then complete a 10km run around the village.

To sponsor them, visit the salon, in Cockton Hill Road, or go to justgiving. com/ andrew-heathcote